Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-06
THE BOARD OF PARDONs.
A Hearing Given to Large Number of
 Prisoners.

The Board of Pardons met at the state prison yesterday afternoon. There were present, Governor Lounsbury General Ed ward Harland of Norwich, Francis Bacon, M. D., of New Haven and Messrs A. E. Burr of Hartford and Morris w. Seymour of Bridgeport. MT Mclean, the gover- nor's secretary, acted as clerk. There was an unusually large docket
 Joseph Fortunetto, New Haven county, was convicted October, 1884, of counter feiting and was sentenced to prison for i've years. When brought before the board the Italian explained through an lnterpre- ter that the counterfeit money was gwen him by his employer and that ne was lgno- rant of it's character.
 William Tyler, also of New Haven coun- ty. sentenced July, 1886, for seven years for assault with attempt to rape, was the next prisoner to appear before the ooard. He told his story, which was as usual to the effect that he was entirely innocent. The alleged victim was little Mer1den pirl only nine years old and the complaint Was made by her mother, who appeared | before the board and said that she had since learned, to her satisfaction, on ques- tioning the child more closely, that no as- sault had been made. The conv1ctlon was secured on the testimony of a slx-year-oid I boy. and he as well as his little sister, now tell a different story. The granting of g
 pardon was opposed by State Attorney Doolitt1e of New Haven.
 Robert Grinnen was the next New Hav-
 en county man to be heard. His term was
 for four years from October, 1886, and the
 crime for which he was sentenced was rob-
 bery. The prisoner of course, claimed
 that he was innocent of the charge if he were not he would serve out his term, he
 said. like man. He urged his previous
 good character and added that he could
 prove by the lady with him at the time,
 that he did not commit the crime. MT Doolittle said the prisoner had had falr
 trial by jury.
 The cases of Joseph Fethergill, sentenced December, 1884, for five years, for assault
 with intent to kill; Edward Geoble, sen
 tenced April, 1883, for eight years for bur
 glary; Charles Carlton, sentenced April,
 1886, for three years, for horse theft and
 Charles Maynard, sentenced January, 1887, for twelve years, for rape, were next ex-
 plained to the board. The prisoners ap- peared later and testified in there own be-
 half. This closed the docket for New Ha- ven County.
 Ernest Palmer, aged 19, convicted o1
 burglary in Fairfield county, presented petition signed by 100 citzens of stan : ford
 From Middlesex county Leander Blinn
 and James Holt, colored, were the only petitioners. The former was sentenced i1 1886 for four years, for assault with intent to kill. He claimed to be innocent. Hol1 was sentenced last April, for two years fol burglary.
 Patrick Mcbride of Litchfeld county was next heard. He hes served less thar : two of 25 years sentence for rape. Ht , admitted his guilt, but wanted to get out.
 Frank Howard, a Litchfeld county horse . thief, serving ten years sentence came next. He asked for his release on th'
 ground that he was but Is years when th' } crime was committed.
 Frank Bardell of Litchfeld county wht : has been in prison since October 1883, ,serv , ing ten years sentence for theft, IS suHer ing from complication of disease and o1 these grounds asked for his release. Frederick Parret of Litchfield county
 sent up in 1886 for two years for theft , wanted his release on account of old age. I Edward Burns and William E. Brock 3 way, sent up from New London county
 both plead for release owing to i'll health ) From Hartford county, Gilbert Noble
 sentenced for abduction, and Ernest J Senior, for abduction claimed to be guilt
 less Thomas Burns serving time fo : burglary, said it wos his first offense William Burns convicted for burglary a : at the same time, wanted to go to Buoal to support his family, and Joseph Cowa' 8 also serving for burglary, woulb like t : get free.
 The hearing was not adjourned until al = fer 6 3O o'clock and the decision of tn board was reserved, until to-day or later.